Afridi handed four-ODI ban, likely to miss World Cup matches

Dubai, Feb 10 (UNI) Dashing Pakistan batsman Shahid Afridi was today handed a four-ODI ban for brandishing his bat at a spectator during the first ODI against South Africa at Centurion Park.

ICC match referee Chris Broad handed the ban after a hearing in Cape Town, charging Afridi of Level three offence under section C2 of the ICC Code which refers to ''conduct unbecoming...which could bring (players or officials) or the game of cricket into disrepute.'' If the ruling is not set aside or modified through an appeal, Afridi will miss Pakistan's early World Cup matches.

Pakistan have two ODIs against South Africa in the current series before their opening match in the Caribbean against the West Indies.

The charge laid by ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed relates to an incident which took place after Afridi was dismissed during the first ODI of the current series.

As Afridi walked up the steps while returning to the dressing room, TV pictures showed him push his bat towards a spectator who apparently said something to the Pakistani batsman.

Afridi could have attracted a ban of between two and four Test matches or between four and eight ODIs, but he was not handed the maximum penalty because of the ''mitigating circumtances''.

''I took into account what I considered to be the mitigating circumstances of a spectator in close proximity to the player shouting at him as he returned to the dressing room,'' Broad said in a statement.

''I also spoke to the spectator in question ahead of the hearing to get his version of events.

''However, I found it impossible to escape the conclusion that Mr Afridi's actions were a clear threat to that spectator and had that person not taken evasive action then the bat would almost certainly have hit him.'' ''Such an act is completely unacceptable and on that basis I found the player guilty of the Level three offence,'' Broad said,'' Broad added.

He also made a point about the circumstances in which the incident took place.

''For the record, I do not believe spectators should be that close to the players or that they should feel they can shout whatever they like and think that is acceptable.

''That is a view I have expressed to Cricket South Africa,'' Broad added.

A player found guilty under levels two, three or four has the right to appeal and has 24 hours to lodge it. If Afridi decides to appeal he will continue to be eligible to play until the appeal is heard.

UNI